Reply To: Space Flight

[vansig]

Rezwan wrote:

2. this approach to fusion was invented in 1963 and is still in the lead.

In the lead of what? I think what you’re trying to say is that the DPF, invented in 1963, routinely accomplishes fusion. The idea that it could actually achieve net energy from fusion has proponents, and is currently being tested. If the results of this test are positive, then we are in for a wonderful new world.

It’s a race toward break-even. I believe the Polywell will get there within another 5 or 6 years. But DPF is in the lead. In Eric’s words, “we have a bit of an edge”.

The statement places all that “fusion is fifty years away” rhetoric into context. It’s already been 47 years, for DPF, and that research effort has produced results.

5. this thing generates the strongest magnetic fields ever produced, equaling those on a neutron star, without huge external magnets

Where’s this from?

If i recall correctly, Eric mentioned the neutron star in the Google tech talks video. Periodically, we see announcements of “the strongest magnetic field ever produced” and it’s always somewhere between 10 – 200 Tesla. The fields in FF-1 already exceed those, don’t they?

6. the top three fusion research programmes are all funded, and racing toward break-even. it will happen sooner than you think.

Funding is always precarious, for all fusion programs. And LPPX could use more funding.

Try: it “could” happen sooner than you think.

Replacing “will happen” with “could happen” weakens it too much. Though i might append,
“but with your help, it will happen sooner”

For me, the purpose of advertising will be to sell generators, and to negate the lights-out, doom-n-gloom future that’s being flogged so heavily, right now.